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Modelia granosa facts for kids

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Modelia granosa
Modelia granosa 001.jpg
Drawing with an apertural view of a shell of Modelia granosa
Scientific classification
Synonyms
  • Liotia (Arene) shandi Hutton, 1873
  • Modelia granosa (Martyn, 1784)
  • Trochus granosus Martyn, 1784 (original combination)
  • Turbo (Modelia) granosus (Martyn, 1784)
  • Turbo granosus (Martyn, 1784)
  • Turbo rubicundus Chemnitz, 1781
  • Turbo shandi Hutton, 1873

The Modelia granosa, also known as the southern cat's eye, is a type of medium to large species of sea snail. It lives in the ocean. This snail has a beautiful shell with a shiny, pearly inside. It also has a special lid called an operculum made of a hard, chalky material. The southern cat's eye belongs to a group of snails called turban snails.

About the Southern Cat's Eye Shell

The shell of the southern cat's eye can be anywhere from 25 mm (about 1 inch) to 80 mm (about 3 inches) in size. It has a round, slightly flattened shape, like a cone that's been pushed down. The shell can be pinkish-yellow, one solid color, or have cloudy patterns of purple or brown.

Shell Features and Details

The shell has seven whorls, which are the spiral turns of the shell. The first two whorls at the top are smooth. The other whorls have tiny bumps, like small grains, arranged in neat spiral lines. The largest and last whorl, called the body whorl, is rounded and curves downwards.

The opening of the shell, called the aperture, is almost circular. It is white and shimmers with rainbow colors inside. The central pillar of the shell, known as the columella, is wide and has a small dip in the middle. A thin, shiny, rose-tinted layer covers parts of the shell's inner surface.

The Operculum: A Special Lid

The snail's operculum is shaped like an oval. On the inside, it is flat and has 5 to 6 spiral turns that start from a point near the center. On the outside, the operculum is white and thick. It has tiny bumps in the middle and a small groove around its edge. This operculum acts like a door, sealing the snail inside its shell for protection.

Where Does This Snail Live?

The Modelia granosa is only found in New Zealand.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Modelia granosa para niños

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